11 Days Northern Circuit Route

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be met by our representative and transferred to Keys Hotel, a welcoming family-run hotel located on the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro.

The hotel offers comfortable accommodation, a variety of meals, a clean swimming pool, and friendly service. It is conveniently located about 10 minutes’ walk from Moshi town centre, making it an ideal place to relax and prepare for the climb.

Accommodation: Keys Hotel

Altitude: 820 m / 2,700 ft

Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast (BB)

Elevation: 2,250m / 7,382ft to 2,820m / 9,252ft

Walking Distance: 6 km

Walking Time: 3 – 4 hours

Habitat: Rainforest

After breakfast, you will drive for approximately 3 hours from Moshi to Lemosho Gate, located on the western side of Mount Kilimanjaro. Upon arrival, registration procedures will be completed while your guides and porters organize equipment.

The trek begins through the lush and untouched rainforest, where the vegetation often grows over the narrow trail. This area is rich in flora and fauna and is one of the most beautiful forest sections on Kilimanjaro. The route follows the quiet and rarely used Chambers Route, increasing your chances of seeing wildlife.

On this day, you will be provided with packed lunch (lunch boxes), which you may enjoy at Lemosho Gate, or along the way to Mti Mkubwa Camp, depending on the timing of your transfer and trek.

The guide will set a steady pace, ensuring everyone can enjoy the trek comfortably. After approximately 3–4 hours of walking, you will reach Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp, nestled deep within the rainforest.

Dinner and Overnight: Mti Mkubwa Camp

Meals: Full Board (FB)

Elevation: 2,820m / 9,252ft to 3,500m / 11,483ft

Walking Distance: 8 km (5 miles)

Walking Time: 5 – 6 hours

Habitat: Moorland

After breakfast, you will begin your ascent out of the rainforest and into the giant heather and moorland zone. The guide will set a slow, steady pace, allowing your body to adjust naturally to the increasing altitude.

Along the way, your guide will select scenic and comfortable spots for short breaks with tea, coffee, biscuits, and nuts, keeping energy levels up while enjoying the dramatic landscapes.

Today is a full trekking day with a gradual altitude gain of about 680m (2,230ft). As you approach the Shira Plateau, the forest thins out, revealing wide open views. Upon reaching Shira One Camp, you will be rewarded with your first close views of Kibo Peak, the majestic summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Here, you will enjoy your hot lunch shortly after reaching camp, giving you time to rest and take in the plateau before settling in.

The Shira Plateau is a high-altitude desert formed by ancient volcanic activity and is one of the most impressive landscapes on the mountain.

Dinner and Overnight: Shira One Camp

Meals: Full Board (FB)

Elevation:

Start: 3,500 m / 11,480 ft

End: 3,850 m / 12,630 ft

Distance: 7–8 km / 4–5 miles

Hiking Time: 4–6 hours

Habitat: Moorland

Today we continue trekking across the heart of the Shira Plateau, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, walking through wide open moorland and striking volcanic rock formations with expansive views of Kibo Peak.

The terrain is mostly gentle, making this an excellent day for acclimatization. Our guides maintain a relaxed, steady pace and choose suitable scenic spots along the route for short rest breaks, where climbers can enjoy tea, coffee, biscuits, popcorn, and light snacks.

Upon arrival at Shira Two Camp, climbers are warmly welcomed with a freshly prepared hot lunch. The afternoon is free for rest, light walks around the camp, and continued acclimatization before dinner.

Dinner & Overnight: Shira Two Camp

Meal Plan: Full Board (FB)

Elevation:

Shira 2 Camp: 3,850 m / 12,630 ft

Lava Tower (high point): 4,600 m / 15,090 ft

Moir Hut: 4,200 m / 13,780 ft

Distance: 14 km / 8.7 miles

Hiking Time: 6–8 hours

Habitat: Alpine desert

Today we continue eastward, ascending gently along a ridge before turning southeast toward the Lava Tower, a dramatic volcanic rock formation rising about 90 m / 300 ft. After reaching this high point for acclimatization, we retrace our steps for approximately 3 km, then leave the main trail and head west toward Moir Hut, a quiet and rarely used campsite at the base of the Lent Hills.

The Lent Hills offer several short walks that provide an excellent opportunity for acclimatization. The Shira Plateau, one of the highest plateaus on Earth, surrounds us with vast open landscapes, reinforcing the “climb high, sleep low” principle that greatly supports summit success.

Elevation: 4,150 m / 13,580 ft to 4,020 m / 13,200 ft

Distance: 12 km / 7 miles

Hiking Time: 5 – 7 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

We leave Moir Hut and trek out of the Moir Valley with a moderately steep ascent, before climbing the Lent Hills. After reaching the high point, we descend back to the main Northern Circuit trail.

The route crosses rocky fields and gently undulating terrain before reaching Buffalo Camp. This section offers outstanding panoramic views across the wide plains north of Mount Kilimanjaro, stretching toward the Kenya–Tanzania border.

Our guides will set a steady, comfortable pace throughout the day, with well-chosen stops for hot water, coffee, tea, light snacks, nuts, and short rests to support acclimatization. Upon arrival at Buffalo Camp, you will be warmly welcomed with a freshly prepared hot lunch.

Elevation: 4,020 m / 13,200 ft to 3,870 m / 12,700 ft

Distance: 8 km / 5 miles

Hiking Time: 4 – 6 hours

Habitat: Heather Moorland

After breakfast, we continue along the Buffalo Ridge as the landscape becomes more open and increasingly sparse. This is one of the least-traveled sections of the mountain, offering a strong sense of solitude and true wilderness.

We trek through remote valleys on the northern slopes of Kilimanjaro, enjoying expansive views and quiet surroundings that make this route unique. The gradual ups and downs support excellent acclimatization.

As always, the guides maintain a controlled pace and select good resting points for hot drinks and energy snacks along the way. On reaching Third Cave Camp, you will be greeted with a hot lunch and time to relax and recover.

Elevation: 3,870 m / 12,700 ft to 4,750 m / 15,600 ft

Distance: 5 km / 3 miles

Hiking Time: 4 – 5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Today we make a steady ascent across the Saddle, a vast alpine desert lying between Mount Kibo and Mount Mawenzi. The terrain is wide, open, and dramatic, with a noticeable change in altitude and atmosphere as we approach high camp.

We continue gradually to School Hut, where the air is thinner and conditions more extreme. Once at camp, you will rest, enjoy an early hot lunch followed by dinner, and receive a detailed summit briefing from your guides.

This afternoon is dedicated to hydration, rest, and mental preparation for the summit attempt. Your guides will ensure everyone is comfortable, well-fed, and fully prepared for the final ascent to Uhuru Peak.

Elevation: 4,750 m / 15,600 ft to 5,895 m / 19,341 ft, then down to 3,100 m / 10,170 ft

Distance: ~18 km / 11 miles

Ascent: ~6 km / 4 miles

Descent: ~12 km / 7 miles

Hiking Time: 12 – 15 hours

Ascent: 6 – 8 hours

Descent: 5 – 7 hours

Very early in the morning, around midnight, we begin our final push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically demanding section of the entire climb. Temperatures are extremely cold, and strong winds are common at this elevation.

We ascend slowly in the darkness for several hours, following a steady pace set by our guides, with frequent but short rest stops for hydration and recovery. Where possible, hot water is provided to help keep you warm and energized.

At Gilman’s Point (5,685 m / 18,652 ft) on the crater rim, you will be rewarded with an unforgettable sunrise over Mount Mawenzi. From here, we continue along the crater rim for the final stretch to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m / 19,341 ft) — the highest point in Africa. Time is allowed at the summit for photos, celebration, and quiet reflection before beginning the descent.

From the summit, we descend steadily, passing back through Barafu Camp, where a well-earned hot lunch awaits. The trail is steep, rocky, and can be hard on the knees; trekking poles are highly recommended.

We then continue down into the upper forest zone to Mweka Camp, where mist or rain is often expected in the late afternoon. After arriving at camp, you will have time to rest, change into dry clothes, and enjoy your final dinner on the mountain,

followed by a well-earned sleep.

Elevation: 3,100 m / 10,170 ft to 1,640 m / 5,380 ft

Distance: 10 km / 6 miles

Hiking Time: 3 – 4 hours

Habitat: Montane Forest

On our final day, we continue our descent through the lush montane forest to Mweka Gate. The trail is well-defined but can be wet and muddy, especially at lower elevations, so care is needed while walking.

As we descend, the air becomes warmer and richer in oxygen, offering a pleasant contrast to the high alpine conditions of the previous days. Upon arrival at Mweka Gate, we complete park formalities and collect our summit certificates, marking the successful completion of the climb.

This brings our Kilimanjaro journey to a close, filled with lasting memories of an unforgettable adventure.

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